Implications for practice and research

■ Nurses working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) need to be mindful of the conflicting evidence supporting the use
of heparin for maintenance of intravenous locks.

■ This study highlights the unsubstantiated and potentially dangerous routine practice of heparin administration for maintenance
of intravenous locks in neonates.

■ Animal studies focusing on the use of heparin for maintenance of small-bore, low-flow central line catheters should be conducted
to establish feasibility for subsequent neonatal studies.

Context

The use of intravenous locks in neonates requiring stays in the NICU is widespread worldwide. These intravenous locks are
used for administration of intermittent medications as well as administration of …